Carlo Cesio’s engraving, “Room with Stucco Ornaments”, c1661, after Pietro da Cortona

Carlo Cesio (1626-1686) (based on the attribution given by the British Museum; see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1937-0915-167).

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Note that I have reservations about the British Museum’s attribution of this unsigned print to Carlo Cesio.

“The Illustrated Bartsch” (1987) in its catalogue of Carlo Cesio’s works (vol. 47, p. 99 [TIB 4771]), reproduces Cesio’s print with difference and in the reverse direction. Consequently, I feel better proposing, that this engraving is by an unidentified printmaker from the circle of Carlo Cesio. Interestingly, Neal Auctions listed a different impression of this engraving in a group of three prints with the inscription: “Ann. Carache [sic] Pinxit/Fr. de Pouilly Scul.” (see the lowest image: https://www.nealauction.com/auction-lot/three-italian-or-french-figural-engravings_6D56DDC231). This inscription, however, is problematic, as Annibale Carracci (1560–1609) did not paint the ceiling; it was executed by Pietro da Cortona (aka Pietro Berrettini) (1597–1669). Moreover, with the anomalies in the spelling of the painter’s name, I also wonder about the spelling of the printmaker’s name, “Fr. de Pouilly”, as I am not familiar with this artist—unless it’s François de Poilly I (1622–1693) who is a marvellous printmaker and more than capable of executing this print (see the two prints by De Poilly that I have listed previously: https://www.printsandprinciples.com/search/label/Poilly%20I%20%28Fran%C3%A7ois%20de%29).

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“Room with Stucco Ornaments” (aka “Pièce avec des Ornemens de Stuc” [Bartsch title]; “Composition with Stucco Ornaments of a Man and Woman Viewed from the Rear” [TIB title]), c1661, from the series of eight plates (according to the BM, but sixteen plates according to TIB (see vol. 47 [Part 1], p. 99, cat. no. .071]), “Galleria dipinta nel Palazzo del Prencipe Panfilio ...”, after a section of the stucco work and fresco ceiling painted by Pietro da Cortona in the Galleria of the Palazzo Pamphili in Rome.

The Curator of the British Museum offers the following insights about this print: “One of eight plates […] from a rejected set of plates after the frescoes on the history of Aeneas painted by Pietro da Cortona on the ceiling of the Galleria of the Palazzo Pamphili in Piazza Navona in 1651-4” (BM inv. no. 1937,0915.167).

Engraving on laid paper with a French watermark of grapes with stem and crown (see an interesting discussion about this and related watermarks featuring grapes offered by the University of Michigan Library: https://blogs.lib.umich.edu/beyond-reading-room/watermark-wednesdays-grapes), with a flattened centrefold and small margins.

Size: (sheet) 38 x 55.5 cm; (plate) 36.5 x 54.5 cm.

Condition: a strong and well-printed early impression showing no sign of wear to the printing plate, trimmed with small margins that are cropped on the corners. There are small tears to the margins and there is a pencil inscription verso, otherwise the sheet is in a good condition with no holes, abrasions or significant stains.

I am selling this large engraving showing a section of ceiling ornamentation featuring male and female figures in the manner of Michelangelo’s ignudi supporting an oval space, for the total cost of AU$298 (currently US$199.22/EUR183.01/GBP154.26 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU$298) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this superb engraving, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.